WNYT.com

Tavares scores SO winner, Islanders top Jets 5-4

(AP) WINNIPEG, Manitoba - John Tavares scored the winning goal in a shootout on Saturday to give the New York Islanders a 5-4 win over Winnipeg and put a dent in the Jets’ playoff drive.

Bryan Little tied the game for Winnipeg 4-4 at 17:59 of the third period, just seven seconds after Isles defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky was called for interference. A rebound sent the puck at Little’s left skate and he kicked it over to his stick before beating Evgeni Nabokov.

Tavares and Brad Boyes both beat Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec in the shootout, while Winnipeg captain Andrew Ladd scored against New York’s Nabokov.

The win gave the Islanders 53 points and tied them with Toronto for fifth in the Eastern Conference. The Maple Leafs played Ottawa (52 points) later Saturday night.

The Jets have 49 points and are 1 back of the eighth-place New York Rangers. Nabokov made 24 saves in the win, while Pavelec stopped 29.

Michael Grabner put the Islanders up 4-3 at 9:13 of the third period after Andrew McDonald sent him a pass from the corner. Grabner stood at the edge of the crease and redirected the puck by Pavelec.

The Islanders got a goal and assist from both Frans Nielsen and Josh Bailey, while Matt Martin also scored. Kyle Okposo and Visnovsky each added a pair of assists. Kyle Wellwood scored a pair of goals for Winnipeg and Zach Bogosian added the other.

The Islanders led 2-1 after the first period and it was tied 3-3 heading into the third.